Second 'supermoon' of the year happens today
There's a "supermoon" rising this weekend. That's the term for a full moon at its closest point to Earth, which means the moon looks bigger and brighter than usual even though it's still hundreds of thousands of miles from us.
This is the second of three supermoons that will take place this year. It's also the one that will bring the moon's orbit closest to Earth, something that's called its perigee.
The moon will be full by mid-afternoon on Sunday, and it's set to rise at about 8 p.m.
Dave Falkner, president of the Minnesota Astronomical Society, said those interested in seeing the supermoon should keep their eyes on the heavens early on Sunday night.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
Blogs and social media are all aflutter about the supermoon, even though many people may not notice much difference from a normal full moon. Falkner said the moon, which is the celestial object closest to Earth, has always fascinated people.
"There's a lot out there to look at, a lot of interesting objects — there are still mysteries out there, it truly is the last frontier," Falkner said. "Anything we can do to get people interested in astronomy is worthwhile."
If you want to know more about supermoons, EarthSky has a primer.
Want exact times for moon rise in your location? The U.S. Navy has a form.
The Washington Post has tips on the best ways to see the supermoon.